Category: Freedom of Expression

Radio Host Sajad Shahrabi Remains Detained in Evin Prison for Over One Month

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Sajad Shahrabi, Sajjad Shahrabi

Sajad Shahrabi, a radio host, continues to be held in Evin prison without release on bail for a period of 34 days.

Shahrabi’s sister, Shima Shahrabi, has announced that despite a one-billion-Toman bail being granted, they have decided not to accept the bail and refuse to release him. On May 2, 2023, security forces arrested Shahrabi at his father’s residence and subsequently transferred him to Ward 209 of Evin Prison. After 13 days, he was moved to the Public Ward of the same prison.

The reasons behind Shahrabi’s detention and the specific charges against him have not been disclosed.

Fereydoon Nabi Receives Seven-Year, Eight-Month Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News
Fereydoon Nabi, Mahabad, Naghadeh, Piranshahr, Urmia

Mahabad Revolutionary Court and Piranshahr Criminal Court have imposed a seven-year, eight-month prison sentence and fine on Fereydoon Nabi.

According to HRANA, the news agency of Human Rights Activists, sourced from Kurdpa, Fereydoon Nabi has been convicted and sentenced to imprisonment along with a financial penalty.

The Mahabad Revolutionary Court handed down a three-year, seven-month sentence for “assembly and collusion against national security,” a two-year, eleven-month sentence for “membership in an anti-regime political party,” and an additional eight-month sentence for “propaganda against the regime.” Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the three-year, seven-month prison term will be enforceable.

Furthermore, the Piranshahr Criminal Court has sentenced Nabi to six months in prison and a fine for “carrying an illegal weapon and throwing a Molotov cocktail.”
On October 29, 2022, security forces arrested Nabi at his family residence in Piranshahr without presenting an arrest warrant. After two days of interrogation at a detention facility in Urmia, he was subsequently incarcerated in Naghadeh Prison. Nabi was eventually released on bail on May 9, 2023.

 

Children’s Rights Activist Zohreh Sayadi Imprisoned in Evin Prison

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Freedom of Expression, News
children's rights activist, Evin Prison, Tehran, Tehran Court of Appeals, Zohreh Sayadi, Zohreh Sayyadi

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Zohreh Sayadi, a dedicated advocate for children’s rights and a resident of Tehran, was sent to Evin Prison on May 30, 2023, to commence her one-year sentence. Despite her ongoing medical treatment and deteriorating health condition, authorities proceeded with her imprisonment, disregarding the unbearable toll it will have on her well-being.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, disclosed that the Tehran Court of Appeals upheld Sayadi’s one-year sentence on Monday, May 29, immediately summoning her for the execution of this prison sentence. The following day, Sayadi appeared before the court, only to be arrested and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison. The source further revealed that Sayadi is battling cancer, and her incarceration has disrupted her critical medical treatment.

On December 10, 2019, security forces apprehended Sayadi at her Tehran residence, taking her to Evin Prison. After enduring a 13-day period in custody, she was finally released on bail.

Sayadi holds a degree in literature and is an activist dedicated to safeguarding the rights of children, mainly orphaned children, those affected by child labor or lacking proper documentation.

Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh Tadrisi Go on Hunger Strike, Demanding Improved Prison Conditions

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Freedom of Expression, News, Prisoners
Evin Prison, Fatemeh Tadrisi, Maryam Jalal Hosseini, Qarchak Prison

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- Maryam Jalal Hosseini and Fatemeh (Mojgan) Tadrisi, who have endured more than 24 days of detention in Qarchak Prison, have resorted to a hunger strike in protest against the dismal conditions they face behind bars.

According to an informed source, these women are currently confined in Ward 5 of Qarchak Prison, located in Varamin. On Sunday, May 28, they commenced the hunger strike to draw attention to the inadequate conditions within the prison and the prison officials’ refusal to transfer them to Evin Prison.

Jalal Hosseini was apprehended by security forces during a teachers’ protest on May 9, 2023, while Tadrisi was arrested in Baharestan Square in Tehran on the same day. It is important to note that Tadrisi had previously been arrested twice during the 2022 nationwide protests, spending one month in Kachooie Prison and some time in Evin Prison.

The specific allegations against these women remain unknown.

Sepideh Rashnu Faces Arraignment at Evin Courthouse

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Freedom of Expression, News, Students
compulsory hijab, Evin Courthouse, Evin Prison, Sepideh Rashnu

Sepideh Rashnu, a student who has been vocal about her opposition to compulsory hijab, was arraigned at Evin Courthouse and subsequently released on bail.

Rashnu faces charges of “provoking promiscuity and engaging in propaganda against the regime.” Following her arraignment, she was briefly held in Ward 209 of Evin Prison before being released upon posting a one-billion bail. However, she is now prohibited from leaving Tehran.

Speaking about the accusations, Rashnu clarified, “Merely sharing a few photos of myself without a headscarf on my personal page does not justify their claims of promoting promiscuity and immodesty. Nor does it imply an association with everyone I follow on social media.”

This is not the first instance where Rashnu has encountered legal troubles due to her refusal to comply with hijab rules. She had previously received a two-semester suspension from the university. Furthermore, on July 16, she was arrested by security forces following an altercation on a city bus, during which she was harassed and physically assaulted by a woman who deemed her hijab improper.

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Faryad Hama-Shour Receives 12-Year Prison Sentence

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Freedom of Expression, News, Other
Ali Hassanzadeh, Faryad Hama-Shour, Oshnavieh, Urmia, West Azerbaijan

On May 31, 2023, Faryad Hama-Shour, a resident of Oshnavieh, had his 12-year prison sentence confirmed by the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals, according to a report by Kurdpa.

Pursuant to Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, he will serve a mandatory five-year term.

Initially, on November 10, 2022, the Oshnavieh Criminal Court sentenced Hama-Shour to five years in prison for his alleged involvement in an anti-regime political party. Additionally, he was given a four-year sentence for purportedly assisting in setting fire to a bank in Oshnavieh, and three years for defying authority by using weapons. Presiding over the case, Judge Ali Hassanzadeh upheld this verdict at the West Azerbaijan Court of Appeals.

Hama-Shour was arrested on September 27, 2022, without showing an arrest warrant, by security forces who subsequently detained him in Urmia Prison.

 

Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb Sentenced to over Five Years and Additional Punishments

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Freedom of Expression, News
Evin Prison, Rajai Shahr Prison, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- In a recent development, Zartosht Ahmadi Ragheb, a civil rights activist currently detained in Evin Prison, has been sentenced to five years and eight months of imprisonment along with additional penalties by the Tehran Revolutionary Court.

The verdict issued by Branch 26 of the Tehran Revolutionary Court states that Ahmadi Ragheb has been sentenced to five years for charges of “assembly and collusion against national security” and eight months for “propaganda against the regime.” Furthermore, he has been subjected to restrictions, including a ban on engaging in civil and political activities, using a cell phone, and traveling abroad for a period of two years.
If the verdict is upheld during the appeal process, in accordance with Article 134 of the Islamic Penal Code, the initial count of five years in prison will be enforced.

An informed source, speaking with HRANA, revealed that “Previously, Ahmadi Ragheb had refused to attend the court due to being subjected to handcuffs and ankle cuffs during the transfer. Yesterday, he was brought to the court with handcuffs and informed that the verdict had been issued in absentia as he had been absent from the court proceedings on three occasions.”

The source further added, “Following the reception of this verdict, Ahmadi Ragheb has requested a retrial. It is important to note that he has been facing these legal actions based on a complaint filed by an IRGC official.”

On February 3, 2023, Ahmadi Ragheb was released from Rajai Shahr prison after completing his previous sentence. However, in March 2023, he was re-arrested during a protest against poison attacks on schools and subsequently transferred to Evin Prison.

 

 

Hamideh Zeraie Re-Arrested by Security Forces

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Freedom of Expression, News
2022 nationwide protests, Hamideh Zeraie, IRGC Intelligence

HRANA, Human Rights Activists News Agency- On May 29, 2023, Hamideh Zeraie was once again apprehended by security forces at her residence in Karaj and transported to an undisclosed location. Zeraie had previously been arrested during the 2022 nationwide protests.

An informed source, speaking to HRANA, revealed that Zeraie had gone to reclaim her seized vehicle, which had been confiscated by IRGC intelligence during her prior arrest. In a call to her family, she expressed concerns about the possibility of being re-arrested by the IRGC intelligence unit.

The grounds for her arrest, her current location, and the specific charges against her remain unknown. Notably, on May 3, 2023, Zeraie had received a summons to appear at the Karaj courthouse on charges related to “propaganda for anti-regime groups.”

Zeraie, who was previously detained amidst the 2022 nationwide protests, had been released on February 7, 2024. It was widely assumed that she, along with numerous other imprisoned protestors, had been granted amnesty under the “pardon and commutation” directive. However, the recent summons she received indicates a different course of events, contradicting initial assumptions.

Mohammad Taleghani Sentenced to Imprisonment and Social Restrictions

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Freedom of Expression, News
Imam Ali's Popular Students Relief Society, Iman Afshari, irgc, Mohammad Taleghani, Tehran

Mohammad Taleghani, a former member of Imam Ali’s Popular Students Relief Society, has been handed a two-year prison sentence and imposed social restrictions by the Tehran Revolutionary Court. However, the execution of this verdict has been suspended for a period of five years.

Judge Iman Afshari issued the verdict, citing “assembly and collusion against national security” as the reason for Taleghani’s sentence. In addition to the prison term, Taleghani has been banned from leaving the country and prohibited from using social media, as well as being barred from participating in civil and political activities for a duration of five years.

Taleghani’s arrest took place on July 9, 2023, when the intelligence forces of the IRGC apprehended him at his residence in Tehran. After spending eight days in custody, he was released on bail from Evin Prison.

Hojat Al-Mohammadi Arrested in Izeh

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Freedom of Expression, News
Hojat Al-Mohammadi, Izeh, Khuzestan province

On May 23, 2023, Hojat Al-Mohammadi, a 38-year-old resident of Izeh, Khuzestan Province, was apprehended by security forces and taken to an undisclosed location.

According to an informed source who spoke with HRANA, Al-Mohammadi was arrested around four pm at his workplace. Since the arrest, he made two phone calls to his family, but he did not disclose his whereabouts during those conversations.
The allegations against him are also still unknown.